Do you need help getting started with AI in your business?
The Small Business AI Center (SBAIC) offers practical, tailored support to Wisconsin small businesses interested in exploring and applying AI in everyday operations.
Whether you are completely new to AI or looking to expand how you use it in your business, the SBAIC provides personalized guidance, hands-on support, and practical resources designed to help you work more efficiently, improve productivity, and identify new opportunities for growth.
Our Purpose
The Small Business AI Center provides no-cost AI education, tools guidance, and implementation support to Wisconsin small businesses. The SBAIC is led by experienced business advisors and supported by AI specialists, university faculty, and trained student consultants — all equipped to help business owners cut through the noise and find practical AI solutions that fit their needs and budget.
SBAIC consultants work directly with business owners to identify opportunities where AI can save time, reduce costs, and unlock new growth — with a focus on tools that are accessible, affordable, and ready to use today.
Who is Eligible?
The SBAIC is open to owners, employees, or staff members of Wisconsin small businesses that meet each of the following criteria:
- Fewer than 500 employees
- Based in Wisconsin
- Currently operating and open for business (does not include pre-venture)
- No previous AI experience is required.
If you do not yet have an established business, please click here to connect with your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Our AI Services:
The SBAIC offers a range of AI education and implementation services to help small businesses identify the right tools, build confidence, and drive real results.
Here’s how we can support your business:
- AI Introduction & Guided Exploration: Learn what AI is, how it works, and where it may fit in your business
- Training and Skill Building: Build confidence using AI tools for everyday business tasks
- Use Case Identification: Identify practical ways AI could support your specific business or industry
- Workflow Improvement: Explore ways AI can save time and improve efficiency across common tasks and processes
- Content and Communication Support: Use AI to assist with writing, marketing content, customer communication, and related tasks
- Research and Idea Development: Use AI to support brainstorming, market research, planning, and decision-making
- Process Documentation and SOP Development: Create clearer internal processes, instructions, and documentation with AI support
- Simple Automation Exploration: Explore opportunities for manageable, practical AI-enabled automation
Beyond 1:1 consulting, the SBAIC offers workshops and training events on AI for small businesses. View upcoming events.
What Makes the SBAIC Different?
A key part of the SBAIC model is the use of trained Student AI Consultants who work directly with small businesses in a guided, hands-on way. This approach provides businesses with personalized support while also creating valuable applied learning opportunities for students.
Rather than simply telling businesses what to do, Student AI Consultants help clients learn, test, and apply AI tools in ways that fit their own goals, comfort level, and capacity. This makes the experience approachable, collaborative, and practical, especially for businesses that are just getting started.
Through the SBAIC, small businesses work directly with experienced faculty, staff, and trained Student AI Consultants to learn how AI can support real-world business needs. Our goal is not simply to introduce new technology, but to help business owners and employees build confidence using tools that are accessible, affordable, and immediately useful.
Get Started with the Small Business AI Center
The Universities of Wisconsin’s Small Business AI Center works closely with OBE’s core programs — including the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the Food Finance Institute (FFI), and the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) — to connect Wisconsin small businesses with the AI support they need.
While many clients are referred through these programs, small businesses can also apply directly by completing a short application.
Strengthened by Our University Connection
The Universities of Wisconsin’s Small Business AI Center is proud to operate in affiliation with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and the University of Wisconsin River Falls to provide valuable AI resources to entrepreneurs across Wisconsin.
